01-25-2009, 07:07 AM
Before you rush to build your website, be careful! So-called web designers are popping up all over the place. Having a web creation software does not make one a web designer.
For your site to look professional, function properly and meet search engine friendly criteria you need a pro. But how do you make an intelligent choice about who to use? Well, education, talent and skill are the keys.
There is much more to design than pasting images to a web page. Find out what kind of formal instruction your potential designer has. Not only should they be educated, but he or she should be continuing their education to keep up with the latest software programs and ever-changing technology.
Take the time to browse through the website and portfolio of your potential web designer. Are the designs pleasing to look at? A designer has creative talent if he or she is able to coordinate colors to represent emotions and perceptions. For example, a feeling of excitement is portrayed with bright, happy colors, calmness with soothing soft colors, impact with vibrant, bold colors.
Remember the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words".
The Search Engines
The web page design should be done in such a way that the website would place well in search engines - because it's no help to have a website that places #7,067 for your chosen search terms. Since search engines are a major source of website visitors, are the designer's websites built to gain good search engine rankings?
This is difficult for most people to tell - but you can ask the web designer. He'll either know and be able to show you some examples, or he won't.
Shouldn't a web designer know all about this? Not necessarily. This is an entire study in itself. To be fair, "web designer" typically means someone who can design and build a website. If search engine rankings are important to you, ask. The least they should do is point you in the right direction (to search engine optimizer specialist).
Determine Your Budget
How much do you want to spend on your web site. Web sites can cost you anywhere from $400 to $200,000 depending upon what you want it to do. Know your spending constraints before you begin negotiating with design companies. Whatever you do, do not tell a web design company what your budget is!! Always get pricing based on your needs, not you budget.
Size Does Not Equate to Competence
People sometimes assume a company with more money, employees, office space etc will be more capable than one with less. This is not necessarily correct. In fact, much smaller businesses (or individuals) if they apply themselves intelligently and effectively, are often likely to be able to deliver better quality and more personalized services than bigger ones.
Your best avenue for selecting a web page desinger is to get authentic proof of competence in form of past web design projects (website addresses) the individual or company you want to choose has handled. Go one step further, if possible, and request for client contact details so you can verify the claims made.
For your site to look professional, function properly and meet search engine friendly criteria you need a pro. But how do you make an intelligent choice about who to use? Well, education, talent and skill are the keys.
There is much more to design than pasting images to a web page. Find out what kind of formal instruction your potential designer has. Not only should they be educated, but he or she should be continuing their education to keep up with the latest software programs and ever-changing technology.
Take the time to browse through the website and portfolio of your potential web designer. Are the designs pleasing to look at? A designer has creative talent if he or she is able to coordinate colors to represent emotions and perceptions. For example, a feeling of excitement is portrayed with bright, happy colors, calmness with soothing soft colors, impact with vibrant, bold colors.
Remember the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words".
The Search Engines
The web page design should be done in such a way that the website would place well in search engines - because it's no help to have a website that places #7,067 for your chosen search terms. Since search engines are a major source of website visitors, are the designer's websites built to gain good search engine rankings?
This is difficult for most people to tell - but you can ask the web designer. He'll either know and be able to show you some examples, or he won't.
Shouldn't a web designer know all about this? Not necessarily. This is an entire study in itself. To be fair, "web designer" typically means someone who can design and build a website. If search engine rankings are important to you, ask. The least they should do is point you in the right direction (to search engine optimizer specialist).
Determine Your Budget
How much do you want to spend on your web site. Web sites can cost you anywhere from $400 to $200,000 depending upon what you want it to do. Know your spending constraints before you begin negotiating with design companies. Whatever you do, do not tell a web design company what your budget is!! Always get pricing based on your needs, not you budget.
Size Does Not Equate to Competence
People sometimes assume a company with more money, employees, office space etc will be more capable than one with less. This is not necessarily correct. In fact, much smaller businesses (or individuals) if they apply themselves intelligently and effectively, are often likely to be able to deliver better quality and more personalized services than bigger ones.
Your best avenue for selecting a web page desinger is to get authentic proof of competence in form of past web design projects (website addresses) the individual or company you want to choose has handled. Go one step further, if possible, and request for client contact details so you can verify the claims made.